FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are a few of the questions we get most frequently in the Office of Graduate Admission.

COVID-19 FAQS FOR APPLICANTS

We understand you may have many questions in this time of great uncertainty. We have compiled responses to anticipated questions below and will continue to update this list as the situation evolves. In addition, we encourage you to contact the Graduate Admission office directly to discuss your specific concerns and see how we may be of assistance.

Are you open for business?

The Graduate Admission office is closed to visitors until further notice, and we are operating virtually during normal business hours, from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. In addition to receiving phones call at +1 781-891-2108, our student ambassadors are online to chat with you at http://www.bentley.edu/graduate or you may schedule a personal consultation with one of our Admissions Officers. Outside of business hours, you can email us at applygrad@bentley.edu.

Are campus tours or visits available at this time?

Bentley University has temporarily suspended campus tours until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope you will plan to schedule a visit to Bentley at a later date. In the meantime, please explore our online events or contact us to arrange for a guided video tour with one of student ambassadors.

Due to the closure of testing centers, I am unable to complete my test in time to meet the application deadline. What can I do?

We are aware that many test centers (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS) remain closed, however, these tests are now available in online, proctored formats that will keep you on track for our final Fall 2020 deadline. Alternatively, we may be able to waive test requirements based on other aspects of your application, accept alternative credentials, or extend deadlines. We recommend you contact us to discuss the best option for your particular situation, as a strong test score may be your best route to admission and scholarship opportunities. For more information about online testing, visit ETS.org (GRE, TOEFL), MBA.com (GMAT), or IELTS.org.

My undergraduate university is closed due to the pandemic. What should I do if unable to obtain official transcripts?

Bentley University will accept unofficial copies of transcripts to review your application for admission to the Fall 2020 academic semester. We require an official copy of your transcript showing conferral of your undergraduate degree prior to the start of classes, but we can extend this deadline to the end of the Fall semester.

My final semester is being graded Pass/Fail due to impact of the virus. Will these courses still be considered for foundation waivers?

For students entering in Fall 2020, we will evaluate courses graded as Pass/Fail in the context of your overall academic record for determination of foundation waivers.

Will my admission be impacted if I am not able to complete my bachelor degree in time to enroll at Bentley for Fall 2020?

If your undergraduate degree completion is delayed beyond August, please contact us to discuss plans to defer your graduate enrollment to a later term.

I am currently enrolled in F1 visa at another institution that is now closed. Can I transfer my visa to Bentley?

F1 students completing their undergraduate degree or internship in the US can transfer their visa to Bentley for the Fall 2020 term and may be eligible for summer enrollment. Due to current travel restrictions and embassy closures, you will likely need to remain in the US to ensure you are here for the start of fall classes. If you are enrolled in another US graduate program and would like to transfer to Bentley, please contact Graduate Admission to discuss your program interests and prior coursework.

What happens if I am unable to arrive at Bentley University for Fall 2020 because of a travel ban or other restrictions?

Students who are not able to arrive at Bentley by September 1, 2020 may be able to begin their program online. All students who have paid their enrollment deposit for Fall 2020 are eligible to defer their admission for up to one year. Contact us to discuss which option is best for you.

What can I do if I am not be able to send required financial documents to complete the I-20 process because my financial institution is closed due to the virus?

Admitted international students must submit financial documents prior to issuance of an I-20. We anticipate a delay in visa processing and encourage you to collect your materials as early as possible for best results. Should delays in materials or appointment times prevent you from arriving in time for the fall term, we will work with you to explore options for online enrollment in Fall 2020, or you can defer your start date for up to one year.

Due to embassy/consulate closures in my region, I am not able to obtain a visa appointment in time for Fall 2020. What should I do?

Some regions are experiencing long delays, while others are closed entirely. Check appointment times in other cities that may be accessible to you and keep checking every few days as appointment availability changes frequently. Bentley’s Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) offers resources and advising for admitted international students. Contact the Graduate Admission office for more information.

What happens if Bentley is unable to resume on-campus instruction for Summer or Fall 2020?

All Summer term courses are offered remotely in either a synchronous hybrid or asynchronous online format and will proceed as planned. We anticipate Fall courses will proceed as scheduled, though schedule adjustments may occur should we be required to continue in a fully remote teaching and learning environment. We will make every attempt to accommodate our international students through online instruction from their location outside the US or through deferral to 2021.

Programs

Which programs are STEM-designated?

Our Master of Science programs in Accounting Analytics, Business Analytics, Marketing Analytics, Human Factors in Information Design (UX), and Digital Innovation (IT), as well as the Analytics track of our MS in Finance, are all STEM-designated.

How long do Bentley degree programs take to complete?

The time to complete a degree depends on the student and their program of study. We offer general guidelines below.

MBA Formats:

Full-Time, up to 24 months

Part-Time, most students finish in as little as 2.5 years

Accelerated Online, can be completed in as little as 18 months

MS Programs:

In a 10-course Master's program, a student can go Full-Time and possibly finish in 1 calendar year.

However, some programs encourage a summer internship for a 16-month duration.

Additionally, foundation course requirements may extend the length up to 24 months.

How long will I have to complete my degree?

Graduate students have up to 5 years to complete their degree program.

Are there any degrees I can earn completely online?

Yes. The following degree programs may be completed online with minimal or no residency requirement.

Master's in Taxation

Master's in Human Factors in Information Design

MBA with a Leadership concentration (accelerated online format)

What is the difference between a Certificate and an MS degree?

Many of our Master's programs have certificate versions available. The certificate is generally 4 courses vs. the traditional 10 courses needed for the Masters degree. Students interested in a certificate at admission are evaluated with the same standards as a Masters student. Many students already in a Master's program continue studying for an additional certificate to complement their degree.

Can I do a dual degree with an MBA program?

Yes. Many of our MBA students continue on for a Masters in a specific discipline. If you plan accordingly you can "share" 4 elective courses from your MBA. Since our Master of Science programs typically require 10 courses, you may earn a dual MS with as few as 6 additional courses.

What is a “Global Business Experience”?

A "GBE" provides students with the opportunity to earn 3 credits by travelling to an international destination with your class. These trips combine academic preparation, corporate immersion experiences, cultural exposure and post-trip final projects. These are generally 7 to 10 days long and scheduled during the winter and summer breaks, which allows students who are working to use vacation time to participate. The trip cost is additional to your course tuition.

International Students

I am an International student. Can I stay in the US after I graduate?

International students are allowed 12 months of “Optional Practical Training” or OPT after they receive their degree. This enables students to stay in the US and work. Students that graduate from a STEM designated program are allowed 36 months of OPT.

As an international student, am I able to work while I pursue my degree?

Per the F1 Visa policy, international students are able to work up to 20 hours per week on campus only. This can include a work requirement with a Graduate Assistantship scholarship. There are also limited Graduate Student Jobs students can apply directly for through Student Employment.

What specific resources are available for international students?

Bentley provides many services for international students, some of which are free and others which are fee-based. Many students take advantage of these programs to improve their language skills and build connections on campus and in the Boston area.

Do you accept a 3-year degree from India?

Bentley accepts a 3-year Indian bachelor's degree earned in Division/Class I from an institution accredited by NAAC with a grade of "A" or better. Students may be required to submit documentation from their university indicating accreditation.

What are international job placement rates?

This varies significantly based on the program. You can get the details by speaking with an Admission Officer. One thing to keep in mind: full-time placement is most often dependent on a company’s sponsorship through an H1B visa, which is not something an educational institution can control.

Can I waive out of the TOEFL/IELTS test?

It is possible to waive out of a language assessment test if a student has studied for a good period of time in the US or another country whose educational system is conducted entirely in the English language. These waivers are granted at the discretion of the Admission Officers while evaluating your application. At times, an interview may be required to make this assessment.

Tuition & Aid

What is the price of a graduate program?

For all of our graduate programs, the cost per course for the 2019-2020 academic year is $4,800. The Bentley MBA requires at least 12 courses ($57,600), and our Master’s degrees require at least 10 courses ($48,000). Foundation courses are also priced at $4,800 each. More information can be found on our Graduate Tuition and Aid page.

Is financial aid available for both full-time and part-time graduate students?

Yes. We evaluate every applicant for merit-based financial aid. Please keep in mind, these awards are completely merit-based and not tied to a student’s financial need. Domestic students may apply separately for federal loans to fund their education costs, and full-time students may be eligible for institutional grant funds based on financial need. Visit our Financial Aid overview page to learn more about the variety of merit-based aid awards available to highly qualified full-time and part-time graduate students.

Is financial aid available for international students?

Yes. We welcome students from around the world. All domestic and international applicants are evaluated for merit-based aid.

Campus

Do you have online classes or Saturday classes?

We have many online classes available. These are “hybrid” classes, which means they are held at the same time as an in-class session and allow you to be an active participant. We do not offer any Saturday classes at this time.

Is there housing for graduate students on campus?

No. However, there are many local apartment complexes within walking distance from the Bentley campus. There are also apartments available in Belmont and Cambridge with a local shuttle for students to get to campus. We also have an off-campus housing service that can help you find listings for apartments, roommates and local real estate agents through our website at https://offcampushousing.bentley.edu

Do you have any remote campuses?

We currently offer our MS in Human Factors in Information Design at our San Francisco location.

Do all graduate students have access to Career Services?

All graduate students have access to our highly-ranked Career Services for life. We start working with you as soon as your studies begin, then provide new ways to develop your skills, make new connections and reach your goals throughout your entire career.

Admissions

Are there any prerequisites I can complete before I get to Bentley?

Many of our programs require foundation courses. You have the possibility of waiving out of some or all of these courses if you meet these 3 criteria:

You have taken an equivalent course within the past 5 years.

You received a grade equivalent of B or better in the course.

The course was taken at an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.

Is the GMAT or GRE exam required for admission?

Students may be waived from the GMAT or GRE exam requirement based on the following guidelines.

For the MBA and our Master programs in Digital Innovation, Finance, Marketing Analytics, and Taxation, students with 5+ years of relevant professional employment may be eligible for waiver; applicants for the Master’s in Accountancy, Audit Analytics, and Business Analytics must have 7+ years of experience for consideration of waiver.

For all programs, applicants with a previous master level (or higher) degree in a related field typically qualify for waiver.

Some programs will accept relevant licensure or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CFA, JD) as consideration for waiver.

Bentley alumni seeking to begin a graduate program within 5 years of receiving their undergraduate degree in which they earned a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better are automatically granted waiver.

MBA applicants seeking to begin graduate study within 5 years of receiving their undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better may be eligible for waiver.

Do you allow for transfer credit or waive courses based on prior experience?

We do not allow for transfer credits for courses in the core of any graduate program. We do grant waivers for foundation level courses if you meet these 3 criteria:

You have taken an equivalent course within the past 5 years.

You received a grade equivalent of B or better in the course.

The course was taken at an AACSB- or EQUIS-accredited school.

In some cases, we are able to waive foundation level courses based on extensive professional experience in the discipline.